GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
304 Driving and Operating
Trailer Lamps
Always check that all trailer lamps
are working at the beginning of each
trip, and periodically on longer trips.
If equipped, the Trailering App will
monitor the RH turn/brake lamp
circuit, LH turn/brake lamp circuit,
running lamp circuit, and reverse
lamp circuits on the trailer. DIC
messages and Trailering App alerts
may be displayed if lighting circuit
issues are detected on the trailer.
Pressing START LIGHT TEST in the
Trailering App automatically
activates the trailer lamps. The
Trailering App is not a substitute for
manually inspecting your trailer
lamps. SeeTrailering App 0310.
Turn Signals When Towing a
Trailer
When properly connected, the trailer
turn signals will illuminate to indicate
the vehicle is turning, changing
lanes, or stopping. When towing a
trailer, the arrows on the instrument cluster will illuminate even if the
trailer is not properly connected or
the bulbs are burned out.
Tow/Haul Mode
For instructions on how to enter
Tow/Haul Mode, see
Driver Mode
Control 0238.
Tow/Haul assists when pulling a
heavy trailer or a large or heavy
load. See Tow/Haul Mode 0226.
Tow/Haul Mode is designed to be
most effective when the vehicle and
trailer combined weight is at least
75% of the vehicle's Gross
Combined Weight Rating (GCWR).
See “Trailer Weight ”under Trailer
Towing 0292.
Tow/Haul Mode is most useful when
towing a heavy trailer or carrying a
large or heavy load:
. Through rolling terrain.
. In stop-and-go traffic.
. In busy parking lots.
Operating the vehicle in Tow/Haul
Mode when lightly loaded or not
towing will not cause damage; however, it is not recommended and
may result in unpleasant engine and
transmission driving characteristics,
heavy or light steering efforts, and
reduced fuel economy.Integrated Trailer Brake
Control System
The vehicle may have an Integrated
Trailer Brake Control (ITBC) system
for use with electric trailer brakes or
most electric over hydraulic trailer
brake systems. These instructions
apply to both types of electric trailer
brakes.
This symbol is on the Trailer Brake
Control Panel on vehicles with an
ITBC system. The power output to
the trailer brakes is proportional to
the amount of vehicle braking. This
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Driving and Operating 311
Touch Stop to stop the test. The test
will automatically end after
one minute and 45 seconds.
The sequence also deactivates
when any of the following occur:
.The ignition is turned off.
. The transmission is shifted out
of P (Park).
. The brake pedal is pressed.
. The turn signal is activated.
. The hazard warning lights are
activated.
Trailering App
If equipped, the Trailering App is on
the Home Page of the infotainment
display.
If equipped this feature allows
profiles for connected trailers to be
created to view status, to store and
track trailer usage information, and
to set up towing assistance
features.
The Trailering App Preview will
appear when the Trailering App is
opened for the first time from the Home Page. Touch GET STARTED
in the Trailering App to go into
the app.
When a trailer is electrically
connected, there will be an option to
create a profile, use a guest profile,
or cancel. After Cancel is selected a
third time, Don’t Remind Me will
display and touching that will turn off
the trailer detection pop-up. To turn
the Trailer Detection Alert on, select
ON in the Settings tab.
When a trailer is electrically
connected and after a Trailer Profile
has been created, the trailer
detection pop-up will appear with a
list of all of the custom Trailer
Profiles made on the vehicle. To
load an existing Trailer Profile,
select one of the Trailer Profiles
listed, or load the Guest Trailer
Profile by selecting GUEST
TRAILER. Touching Cancel,
Accessory/No trailer, or shifting the
vehicle from P (Park), will select
Accessory/No trailer as the active
Trailer Profile and will dismiss the
pop- up.
Create a Trailer Profile
1. Touch Create Profile on the pop-up or touch + Add Trailer
in the Trailering App.
2. Create a name for the trailer.
3. Select the hitch type. A checklist profile will be
created based on the type
selected.
4. Select the trailer type.
A pop-up will indicate the setup is
complete. Touch DONE to complete
the process or touch TRAILER
FEATURE SETUP to set up the
Tow/Haul Mode reminder, Trailer
Tire Pressure Monitoring System,
if equipped, maintenance reminders,
or towing assistance, if equipped.
Import a Trailer Profile
A trailer profile saved to an OnStar
account can be imported to the
vehicle. 1. Touch Import Profile on the pop-up.
2. Select a trailer profile from the list.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Driving and Operating 313
3. Activate the tool near the valvestem or adjust the air pressure
of this tire until the horn chirps
and all working vehicle and
trailer lights flash.
The process stops without
saving the sensor locations if
this step takes more than
two minutes.
4. Move to the next tire and repeat Step 3 for each sensor.
The horn chirps twice when all
sensors are completed.
5. Return to the vehicle to complete the setup.
Maintenance Reminders
To set up maintenance reminders,
touch the Trailer Maintenance icon.
Select Yes to set up the
maintenance reminders for the
Trailer Profile. Follow the on-screen
prompts. The maximum number of
reminders is 50. Select No to return
to the previous screen.
Towing Assistance
If the Transparent Trailer feature is
available, touch the Towing
Assistance icon to set up
transparent trailer.
Touch Yes to begin set up or touch
No to return to the previous screen.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
A rear trailer camera must be
mounted on the trailer and
electrically connected to the vehicle
before transparent trailer feature
can be used. See Assistance
Systems for Parking or Backing
0 257.
Trailer dimensions must be in range
and transparent trailer must be
calibrated prior to use.
Transparent Trailer Setup
To complete setup for transparent
trailer: 1. Select the number of axles on the trailer. 2. Enter trailer dimensions
.Trailer Length: 300 cm
(118.1 in) 970 cm (381.8
in). Measure from center of
coupler to furthest rear
point on the trailer.
. Trailer Width: 120 cm (47.2
in) 260 cm (102.3 in).
Measure from left edge to
right edge.
. Trailer Height: 1 cm
(.39 in) –450 cm (177.1 in).
Measure from ground to
tallest point.
. Hitching Point Length: 180
cm (70.8 in) –970
cm (381.8 in). Measure from
center of coupler to middle
of tires.
. Trailer Tongue Length: 50
cm (119.6 in) –220
cm (86.6 in). Measure from
center of coupler to trailer
front wall.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
Vehicle Care 349
Automatic Coolant Service Fill
Instructions (L3B Engine)
See 3.0L Duramax Diesel
supplement for the diesel engine
procedure.
If equipped, this feature assists in
filling and removing air from the
cooling system after service of
components or when coolant is
added after being too low.
To activate the fill and air removal
process:1. With a cold system, add coolant to the indicated mark
on the surge tank.
2. Replace the cap on the surge tank.
3. Connect the vehicle to a battery charger.
4. Set the ignition to Service or Accessory Mode. See Ignition
Positions (Keyless Access)
0 208 or
Ignition Positions (Key Access)
0 210.
5. Turn off the air conditioning. 6. Set the parking brake.
7. At the same time, press the
accelerator and the brake for
automatic transmission
vehicles for two seconds, then
release.
At the end of the cycle, check the
coolant level in the surge tank and
add coolant if it is low. Turn off the
vehicle, allow the Electronic Control
Module (ECM) to go to sleep, about
two minutes, and repeat Steps 3–7.
Listen for pump activation and
movement of the control valves
while watching the level of the
coolant in the surge tank. If the tank
empties, turn the ignition off,
carefully remove the surge tank cap,
refill to the indicated mark, and
repeat Steps 3–6. The fill and air
removal process will run for
approximately 10 minutes.
How to Add Coolant to the
Coolant Surge Tank for
Gasoline Engines Except L3B
If the vehicle has a diesel engine,
see “Cooling System” in the
Duramax diesel supplement for the
proper coolant fill procedure.
{Warning
Spilling coolant on hot engine
parts can burn you. Coolant
contains ethylene glycol and it will
burn if the engine parts are hot
enough.
{Warning
Plain water, or other liquids such
as alcohol, can boil before the
proper coolant mixture will. With
plain water or the wrong mixture,
the engine could get too hot but
there would not be an overheat
(Continued)
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
Vehicle Care 351
6. Verify coolant level after theengine is shut off and the
coolant is cold. If necessary,
repeat coolant fill procedure
Steps 1–6.
Caution
If the pressure cap is not tightly
installed, coolant loss and engine
damage may occur. Be sure the
cap is properly and tightly
secured.
Engine Overheating
If the vehicle has the Duramax
diesel engine, see the Duramax
diesel supplement.
Caution
Do not run the engine if there is a
leak in the engine cooling system.
This can cause a loss of all
coolant and can damage the
system and vehicle. Have any
leaks fixed right away. The vehicle has several indicators
to warn of engine overheating.
There is a coolant temperature
gauge in the vehicle's instrument
cluster. See
Engine Coolant
Temperature Gauge 0134.
In addition, there are ENGINE
OVERHEATED STOP ENGINE,
ENGINE OVERHEATED IDLE
ENGINE, and ENGINE POWER IS
REDUCED messages in the Driver
Information Center (DIC).
If the decision is made not to lift the
hood when this warning appears,
get service help right away. See
Roadside Assistance Program
0 467.
If the decision is made to lift the
hood, make sure the vehicle is
parked on a level surface.
2.7L L4, 4.3L V6, 5.3L V8, and 6.2L
V8 Engines
Check to see if the engine cooling
fans are running. If the engine is
overheating, the fans should be running. If they are not, do not
continue to run the engine and have
the vehicle serviced.
If the engine or transmission detects
an impending hot fluid condition,
then the transmission may force
upshifts to limit temperatures.
Downshifts may also be prevented
in this instance. Normal operation
may continue unless the display
indicates there is a hot condition
and engine should be idled.
If Steam is Coming from the
Engine Compartment
{Warning
Steam and scalding liquids from a
hot cooling system are under
pressure. Turning the pressure
cap, even a little, can cause them
to come out at high speed and
you could be burned. Never turn
the cap when the cooling system,
including the pressure cap, is hot.
Wait for the cooling system and
pressure cap to cool.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/10/19
406 Vehicle Care
{Warning
Lifting a vehicle and getting under
it to do maintenance or repairs is
dangerous without the
appropriate safety equipment and
training. If a jack is provided with
the vehicle, it is designed only for
changing a flat tire. If it is used for
anything else, you or others could
be badly injured or killed if the
vehicle slips off the jack. If a jack
is provided with the vehicle, only
use it for changing a flat tire.
If a tire goes flat, avoid further tire
and wheel damage by driving slowly
to a level place, well off the road,
if possible. Turn on the hazard
warning flashers. See Hazard
Warning Flashers 0169.
{Warning
Changing a tire can be
dangerous. The vehicle can slip
off the jack and roll over or fall
causing injury or death. Find a
level place to change the tire. To
help prevent the vehicle from
moving:
1. Set the parking brake firmly.
2. Put the shift lever inP (Park).
3. For vehicles with four-wheel drive with an N (Neutral)
transfer case position, be
sure the transfer case is in a
drive gear —not in
N (Neutral).
4. Turn off the engine and do not restart while the vehicle
is raised.
5. Do not allow passengers to remain in the vehicle.
(Continued)
Warning (Continued)
6. Place wheel blocks,if equipped, on both sides of
the tire at the opposite
corner of the tire being
changed.
When the vehicle has a flat tire (2),
use the following example as a
guide to assist in the placement of
the wheel blocks (1), if equipped.
1. Wheel Block (If Equipped)
2. Flat Tire
The following information explains
how to use the jack and change
a tire.
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
OnStar 481
Languages
The vehicle can be programmed to
respond in multiple languages.
Press
Qand ask for an Advisor.
Advisors are available in English,
Spanish, and French. Available
languages may vary by country.
Potential Issues
OnStar cannot perform Remote
Door Unlock or Stolen Vehicle
Assistance after the vehicle has
been off continuously for 10 days
without an ignition cycle. If the
vehicle has not been started for
10 days, OnStar can contact
Roadside Assistance or a locksmith
to help gain access to the vehicle.
Global Positioning
System (GPS)
. Obstruction of the GPS can
occur in a large city with tall
buildings; in parking garages;
around airports; in tunnels and
underpasses; or in an area with
very dense trees. If GPS signals
are not available, the OnStar
system should still operate to call OnStar. However, OnStar
could have difficulty identifying
the exact location.
. In emergency situations, OnStar
can use the last stored GPS
location to send to emergency
responders.
A temporary loss of GPS can cause
loss of the ability to send a
Turn-by-Turn Navigation route. The
Advisor may give a verbal route or
may ask for a call back after the
vehicle is driven into an open area.
Cellular and GPS Antennas
Cellular reception is required for
OnStar to send remote signals to
the vehicle. Do not place items over
or near the antenna to prevent
blocking cellular and GPS signal
reception.
Unable to Connect to OnStar
Message
If there is limited cellular coverage
or the cellular network has reached
maximum capacity, this message may come on. Press
Qto try the
call again or try again after driving a
few miles into another cellular area.
Vehicle and Power Issues
OnStar services require a vehicle
electrical system, wireless service,
and GPS satellite technologies to be
available and operating for features
to function properly. These systems
may not operate if the battery is
discharged or disconnected.
Add-on Electrical Equipment
The OnStar system is integrated
into the electrical architecture of the
vehicle. Do not add any electrical
equipment. See Add-On Electrical
Equipment 0322. Added electrical
equipment may interfere with the
operation of the OnStar system and
cause it to not operate.
Vehicle Software Updates
OnStar or GM may remotely deliver
software updates or changes to the
vehicle without further notice or
consent. These updates or changes
may enhance or maintain safety,
GMC Sierra/Sierra Denali Owner Manual (GMNA-Localizing-U.S./Canada/
Mexico-13337776) - 2020 - CRC - 4/4/19
Connected Services 487
vehicles, the SSID and
password can be changed in
the Wi-Fi Hotspot menu.
After initial set-up, your vehicle’s
Wi-Fi hotspot will connect
automatically to your mobile
devices. Manage data usage by
turning Wi-Fi on or off on your
mobile device, using the myGMC
mobile app, or by contacting an
OnStar Advisor. On some vehicles,
Wi-Fi can also be managed from the
Wi-Fi Hotspot menu.
MyGMC Mobile App (If Available)
Download the myGMC mobile app
to compatible Apple and Android
smartphones. GMC users can
access the following services from a
smartphone:
. Remotely start/stop the vehicle,
if factory-equipped.
. Lock/unlock doors, if equipped
with automatic locks.
. Activate the horn and lamps. .
Check the vehicle’s fuel level, oil
life, or tire pressure,
if factory-equipped with the Tire
Pressure Monitor System.
. Send destinations to the vehicle.
. Locate the vehicle on a map
(U.S. market only).
. Turn the vehicle's Wi-Fi hotspot
on/off, manage settings, and
monitor data consumption,
if equipped.
. Locate a dealer and schedule
service.
. Request roadside assistance.
. Set a parking reminder with pin
drop, take a photo, make a note,
and set a timer.
. Connect with GMC on social
media.
Features are subject to change. For
myGMC mobile app information and
compatibility, see my.gmc.com.
An active OnStar or connected
service plan may be required.
A compatible device,
factory-installed remote start, and power locks are required. Data rates
apply. See www.onstar.com for
details and system limitations.
Remote Services
Contact an OnStar Advisor to
unlock the doors or sound the horn
and flash the lamps.
Marketplace
OnStar Advisors can provide offers
from restaurants and retailers on
your route, help locate hotels,
or book a room. These services
vary by market.
Diagnostics
By monitoring and reporting on the
vehicle's key systems, OnStar
Advanced Diagnostics, if equipped,
provides a way to keep up on
maintenance. Capabilities vary by
model. See www.onstar.com for
details and system limitations.
Features are subject to change. For
updates on feature capabilities, see
my.gmc.com. Message and data
rates may apply.